posted October 2011

VU-GRAPH

Expert game, IMPs

You are East, defending.

Bd: 3 Dlr: South Vul: EW   In a spirited auction, West North East South Teltscher Malinowski Silverston de Bottom Pass Pass 1H Dbl 4H Pass Pass Dbl Pass 4NT Dbl 5D 5H Pass Pass Dbl Pass Pass Pass

Your hand (EAST) and dummy (SOUTH):

 

You lead the DA but it gets ruffed in dummy.  Declarer plays a trump to his ace (partner showing out), ruffs his D8 then plays a club to his queen which you take.

Trick 1: DA H3 DT D5 Trick 2: H5 C3 HA HT Trick 3: D8 D3 H6 D6 Trick 4: C2 C4 CQ CA

 

 

QUIZ:  How do you continue and why?

Solution:

You can see that your J is dropping, making the 10-9 good in dummy. These may be used for discards, and the question is: Should I get ACTIVE (get our spade tricks quickly) or should I stay PASSIVE (exit a trump and wait)?

A little counting will help us make a decision. Declarer is counted for 5 hearts and 2 diamonds. He has six black cards, and since partner went 4NT in the bidding, declarer will have at most 3 clubs. So... declarer will be either 4-5-2-2 or 3-5-2-3. In either case, declarer will be left with two spades after getting discard(s) on the clubs. Stay passive!

In the event, East underled his spade ace. Declarer won the K, drew the outstanding trump, then cashed the K. Imagine his surprise when the knave made it's appearance!

5x making!!

In the other room...

North S K984 H AK942 D 85 C KQ West East S Q103 S AJ7 H - H Q10 D K10642 D AQJ973 C 87643 C AJ South S 652 H J87653 D - C 10952 West North East South Liggins Bakhshi Fawcett Townsen 2D Pass 4H Dbl Pass 4NT Pass 5D Pass Pass Pass Trick 1: S2 SQ SK SA Trick 2: DQ * claimed 12 tricks *

Total swing: 15 IMPs

The Newmoon Tourneys are run on Sunday's at South African time 20h25 and comprises of 15 predealt hands.
We alternate each week between MPs and IMPs. Hand records are available at the end.
They are free!